Great 'Isn't it obvious?' MoneySaving Hunt revisited

Uniscots97

If its getting chilly, I put a jumper on and light a candle (amazing how much heat candles give off and it means I don't have to put the light or heating on).

KatieVA

One way I've saved a fair bit of money is by cutting out ALL soft drinks and sticking to just tap water. I was spending £5+ per week on squash/juice and fizzy drinks which is ridiculous! That's £25 or more per month! And I've cut out all those nasty chemicals, sugar and empty calories by doing so, and boy do I feel healthier for it!

I used to absolutely hate drinking plain water, but I was determined and I stuck at it...now, I glug back glass after glass and I'd never dream of spending money on squash or fizzy drinks, it seems absurd.

vodkawitch1

I have stopped using a handbag and now take a small rucksack with me. Great for bargins foraging and taking a snack and drink everywhere.

Bambywamby

Ice lolly moulds can save a fortune in the Summer and you can make some delish concoctions. Fill them with fruit juice, dilute juice, lemonade, cola...even a fruit smoothie can be poured into the mould to make a lovely rich ice creamy type lolly. My mum likes to cool herbal tea and then freeze them into ice lollies for a more "adult" palate.

Patr100

Suzey wrote: »

Never thought of that! Do libraries only offer this on the computers on their premises? Or through their online services which you can access from home? I do miss The Times Online!

It was accessable from home provided you were registered as a library user - as part of extra online services - May depend on your local services spotted it some time ago but didn't pursue it as I have plenty to read elsewhere.
eg: for Essex lots of resources here:
http://www.essex.gov.uk/Libraries-Archives/libraries/information/Pages/Reference-library-online.aspx

oldtractor

I like this thread. My contribution is that I make a tea bag do 2 cups of tea,use a hot water bottle instead of putting the heating on and walk to the shops and work.

ralph_wilson

culpepper wrote: »

Look at review sites when thinking of buying new contraptions. The amount of times we have discovered shortcomings in things we 'nearly' bought, because we remembered to read up on them first, is crazy.

If you have a recorder(video/dvd/pvr) use it to stock pile some interesting viewing for days when you would normally hire DVDS or go to the cinema.

Dont go to the cinema anyway! Films are usually on DVD very quickly after they have been on the big screen. If you are patient,they will come to the TV which you already pay for anyway.

Wait for new books. They nearly always come out in hardback first, most expensive,then about 6 months later, paper back. The library is the cheapest option of all.

I browse the bookstore (e.g. Waterstones), note down the details of an interesting book and get it from the library. If they don't have it in stock I wait a few weeks/months then try again. It used to be free to reserve books, but now they charge £1 - still cheap though.

Patr100

If you spot a book you like in a bookshop and tempted to buy on the spot, new, out of print or secondhand , if you can, always pause and check its price online (eg Amazon etc) - Discounts to be had usually if you can wait for delivery.

ceridwen

ralph_wilson wrote: »

I browse the bookstore (e.g. Waterstones), note down the details of an interesting book and get it from the library. If they don't have it in stock I wait a few weeks/months then try again. It used to be free to reserve books, but now they charge £1 - still cheap though.

Must admit thats one of mine - though I do now feel a bit "guilty" at checking out books there, but rarely buying them there. I guess they would rather I did that - because of the times when I end up buying one there that I feel I really cant wait for....

I think the one financial tip I learnt from my mother was "If you only want to read a book once - then borrow it, dont buy it" - hence I can count on two hands the number of fiction books I have (because I rarely pay more than 50p for them - certainly never more). I dont really understand people buying new fiction books
- but I do have 24 shelves of non-fiction books (now winnowed down to 23 methinks...)...as I do want a comprehensive reference library for the subjects I'm interested in.

Thinks...finding Amazon was a mixed blessing.....:cool::rotfl:

babyboysmommy

I do that in any store. If I find something I like I take a photo of it on my phone (easier than writing it all down) then go home & see if I can find it cheaper elsewhere. Almost every time I can.